SOCIAL JURIST                                                                       478-479, Lawyers’ Chambers

A CIVIL RIGHTS GROUP                                                     Western Wing, Tiz Hazari Courts

      Delhi – 54

28.11.2006

To

Smt. Shiela Dikshit

Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi

Secretariat, I. P. Estate

New Delhi – 110002

Sub: Request for immediate action to stop holding of kids interview by the Queen Mary School, Mayur Vihar, Phase I, Delhi on 29.11.2006 for admission in KG Classes

Dear Chief Minister,

We have got complaints from the parents seeking admission for their kids in Queen Mary School, Mayur Vihar, Phase I, Delhi that the said school has called the kids for test/interview tomorrow i.e. 29.11.2006 from 9 am onwards.

I invite your kind attention to the order dated May 10, 2006 having been passed by a Division Bench of Hon’ble Delhi High Court in a PIL which reads as under:

“ LPA No. 196/2004

            On 9.12.2005 we had directed schools to evolve a methodology where the admissions at the entry level to 3+ or 4+ are not based on interview of the child or of the parents and the discretion which the schools exercise in issuing admission card or interview cards has to be completely stopped. Thereafter, the matter was adjourned at the request of the association of the private schools.

            On 31.1.2006 we again emphasized that what was required from the private schools was transparency in the matter of admissions of these tiny tots and also directed the association of the private schools to themselves evolve certain parameters to achieve these objects. Again at the request of association of private schools, we had granted further time in this regard. Again on 5.04.2006 we have emphasized that both these attributes for admissions i.e. transparency in admissions, discretion of the management of the school and using interview as a method of not granting admission and under the garb of interview using discretion in an arbitrary manner. We had directed the association of the schools to file a list
of prominent schools of Delhi where the seats in the nursery were less and the children seeking admission were more with the district-wise breakup. We have also directed that they will also indicate as to in such schools in average how many applications are received from the parents of the children. In spite of the matter being adjourned for four weeks, nothing has been filed. Mr. Khanna, learned counsel appearing for the private schools association prays for some more time to do the needful. We give him last opportunity to come out with concrete suggestions, in regard to the order passed by us, from various time to time. We make it clear that no school shall call children or their parents for interview without permission of this Court. Re-notify on 26th July 2006.”

            .

The aforesaid order of the Hon’ble Delhi High Court has very clearly banned interviews of tiny tots in Nursery/KG Classes by all the schools in Delhi.  It is submitted that when some of the parents raised objection with the school management referring to the High Court orders, the said school gave them a very funny excuse that they were not holding kids interview for Nursery classes but for KG classes.

It is submitted that holding of interviews/tests of 3+ and 4+ age kids for admission in Nursery/KG classes is not only in violation of the orders having been passed by the Hon’ble Delhi High Court but would also cause trauma to the kids and their parents.  Holding interview of tiny tots is nothing short of cruelty towards the children and in addition, the same is violative of fundamental and human right to education of the kids as guaranteed to them under Article 21 and 21A of the Constitution of India.

It is, therefore, requested that immediate steps may be taken to ensure that the Queen Mary School, Mayur Vihar, Phase – I, Delhi is prohibited to hold interviews/tests of tiny tots to admission in Nursery/KG classes scheduled to be held tomorrow i.e. 29.11.2006 from 9 am onwards.

Thanking you

Ashok Agarwal

Advocate

Advisor, Social Jurist

M: 9811101923